Acronym

MoCog [MoKog]

Study hypothesis

The aims of the study are: 1. To analyse the differences in motor and cognitive performance between:1.1. Healthy and demented persons 1.2. Physically active and inactive persons 2. To show whether increased physical activity reduces the progression of Alzheimer's disease3. To examine the relationship between physical activity across life span and cognitive performance4. To examine:4.1. The correlation of motor and cognitive performance 4.2. The influence of Alzheimer's disease on motor performance4.3. The effect of the genetic risk factor APOE4 on cognitive performance and health-related fitness5. To improve motor and cognitive performance through exercise training6. To compare the effectiveness of different exercise programs (endurance and strength training)7. To evaluate the feasibility and acceptance of the exercise training program

Ethics approval

Ethics-Committee of the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelm University of Bonn, gave approval on the 21st November 2003 (ref: 156/03). Amendment on 23rd January 2006 (ref: 179/03).

Study design

Primary study design

Secondary study design

Trial setting

Other

Trial type

Quality of life

Patient information sheet

Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet

Condition

Alzheimer's disease

Intervention

1. Intervention group:Participants exercise two times per week for three months. Every session comprises 60 minutes (5 - 10 minute warm-up and 5 - 10 minute cool-down on an ergometer). Participants were divided into either a strength training group or an endurance training group:

1.1. Strength training group: Weight training of the major muscle groups for 60 minutes per session. Starting with strength-endurance and intramuscular coordination training (40 - 60% of one repetition maximum [RM], three sets of 20 repetitions) in the initial starting program (first 4 weeks), followed by hypertrophy training (80% of one RM, three sets of 8 - 12 repetitions) for 8 weeks. The intensity of loading was gradually increased, adapted on subjectively perceived exertion (16 to 18 points on the Borg scale).

1.2. Endurance training group: The endurance training on an ergometer was in accordance with the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM's) guidelines for exercise prescription. Volume and intensity of effort were gradually increased every week, starting at 20 minutes and 50 - 60% heart rate (HR) and ending at 60 minutes and 75 - 80% HR max.

2. Control group:The participants of the control group received no intervention. Possible changes in physical activities in the intervention group and control group were controlled by a questionnaire.

Overall trial start date

01/04/2006

Overall trial end date

13/08/2007

Reason abandoned (if study stopped)

Eligibility

Participant inclusion criteria

1. Men and women, aged 49 to 93 years2. Participants must be able to understand, read, and speak German3. The patients sample is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (light or moderate) which was assessed with the Consortium to establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological test battery4. Participants must have an mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score greater than or equal to 10 points5. Participants without Alzheimer's disease have to be older than 60 years and must have an MMSE score greater than or equal to 24

Participant type

Patient

Age group

Adult

Gender

Both

Target number of participants

240

Participant exclusion criteria

1. Patients with one of the following diseases:1.1. Acute coronary heart diseases1.2. Thrombophlebitis1.3. Acute lung diseases1.4. Infections1.5. Osteoporosis2. Patients who are not able to sit or stand without aid